Prayer Warrior
Lord, may I be like Epaphras
and wrestle in prayer for others.
May I labor fervently in
intercession
for my precious sisters and
brothers.
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus,
sends greetings.
He is always wrestling in prayer for you,
that you may stand firm in all the will of God,
mature and
fully assured.”
Colossians 4:12 (NIV)
agōnizŏmai75 – to
struggle, lit. (to compete for a prize), fig. (to contend with an adversary),
or gen. (to endeavor to accomplish something): - fight, labor fervently,
strive.
I
had always kind of wondered where we came up with the term “prayer warrior.” Perhaps
it comes from this verse that speaks of one of Paul’s companions wrestling in
prayer for his friends back home.
The only
way to contend with our adversary, the devil, is to turn him over to God. As we
pray that fellow believers will stand firm in God’s will and be mature and
assured in Christ, we are asking the Lord to defeat Satan in their lives. It is
a battle because the enemy will do everything he can to distract you from
prayer. I know there have been brothers
and sisters who have fought for me in prayer, and I am grateful to the Lord for
placing them in my life.
Paul has
taught us much about prayer in the prison epistles, both by direct instruction
and examples from his own and his close companions’ prayer lives. Perhaps
Paul’s experience in prison was similar to my friend Debbie’s experience with
illness. After many surgeries and long hospital stays someone told her she
should just give up and die since she couldn’t do much anymore. Her response
was that even lying in a hospital bed, she could pray for others; and maybe
even had more time to pray for others; so she chose to believe that God still
had a purpose for her on this earth. I know she fervently prayed that God would
bless me with children and was delighted to hear how he answered her prayers.
Intercessory
prayer is a ministry, and it is hard work. Sometimes it involves allowing
yourself to feel another’s pain. Many times, it’s hard to see exactly how God
is answering, but we must keep praying and trusting that in his perfect timing
and in his own way, he will answer. Struggle, agonize in prayer for those you
love. Then, oh what delight there will be as you see God move in their lives!
Father, help me to be faithful in
intercession. When you awaken me with a concern for one of my family members or
friends, help me to be alert to pray rather than resent the loss of sleep.
Thank you for the many times you’ve given me the privilege of seeing you answer
my prayers and those of other believers. Thank you for the example of Epaphras
who wrestled in prayer that others might stand firm and be complete in Christ.
Help me to do the same.
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